A few weeks ago an email was forwarded at work inviting U.S. citizens to a Fourth of July party sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. After we RSVP’d we realized it wasn’t the first Saturday in July but rather the 24th of June. (Who gives a Fourth of July party in June?)

The location was where U.S. ambassadors lived in the past, but it is vacant now. The grounds, however, are spacious and beautiful. And it’s right on a cliff so the view is fantastic. Breathtakingly beautiful. We met the ambassador and his wife, but we didn’t realize who they were. “Hello, my name is Todd and this is my wife Jeannetta.” How were we to know Todd & Jeannetta weren’t just friendly people? (We can do “Clueless in Quito” in English as well as in Spanish.)

We bought some very expensive (and unusually flavored) ice cream, listened to live music, saw a puppet show by Ecuadorean firemen and a canine demonstration by Ecuadorean police. And we visited with other Reach Beyond people there. Scott even tossed a frisbee around for a while on the huge lawn (or maybe it’s a soccer field?). Thankfully the weather cooperated and we had sunshine rather than rain.

It was a fun and unique experience.

The residence (now vacant)

The residence (now vacant)

Live music & the lawn

The eating area

Police canine demonstration

There’s a steep cliff behind that hedge.